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The Finger of Justice
(1918) United States of America
B&W : Seven reels
Directed by Louis William Chaudet
Cast: Crane Wilbur [Noel Delaney], Harry Barrows [William Randall], Jane O’Rourke [Yvonne], Mae Gaston [Mary], Leota Lorraine [Edith], Beulah Booker [Betty Randall], Velma Whitman [Louise Bradley], Jean Hathaway [Mrs. Bradley], John Oaker [Flip], Jack Lott [Jack Randall]
Paul Smith Pictures Company production; distributed on State Rights basis by Arrow Film Corporation. / Produced by Reverend Paul Smith. Scenario by Grace Marbury Sanderson. Cinematography by Lenwood Abbott. / Premiered 21 July 1918 in Washington, D.C., and in Seattle, Washington. Released July 1918. / Standard 35mm spherical 1.33:1 format. / The film was advertised to premiere on 29 June 1918 at the Lyric Theatre in New York, New York, but the premiere was quashed by the New York Bureau of Licenses Commissioner Gilchrist who had ruled the film to be immoral; in a later court action, Gilchrist was required to show cause for the film’s suppression. Reverend Paul Smith obtained an endorcement of the film from Washington, D.C. Mayor Raymond Pullman for its premiere there. Footage showing Seattle Mayor Ole Hanson welcoming Reverend Paul Smith to the city of Seattle was shown in the Pacific Northwest as a prologue to the film. The film was banned by the Maryland State Board of Censors.
Drama.
Synopsis: The story is based on actual events in the anti-vice campaign in San Francisco of Reverend Paul Smith. When political kingpin William Randall perpetuates and controls corruption in the city, Minister Noel Delaney wages an anti-corruption campaign.
Survival status: Print exists [16mm reduction positive].
Current rights holder: Public domain [USA].
Listing updated: 28 January 2010.
References: Website-AFI; Website-IMDb.
Home video: VHS.
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